Building a Love of Reading: Visit Your Local Library
Why are libraries important?
I still recall trips to my local library as a child. The Main Branch on Woodward Ave in Detroit, sparks heavy doses of nostalgia from my childhood. Searching for my favorite titles, flipping through comics, attending storytime hours, renting VHS tapes, getting my own library card, and using it to check out books. The satisfying moment of watching my books get stamped was a right of passage into independence and gave a sense of responsibility. Libraries are so essential as they provide access to resources and materials that might not be available or affordable, allowing children to further their learning and understanding of the world around them. Libraries also provide a safe and welcoming space to study and interact with other members of their community.
How can visiting libraries support students' literacy outside of the classroom?
Studies show a positive relationship between library quality (school and public) and the amount read, as well as a relationship with reading mastery. Better libraries mean more literacy development for younger readers as well as for high school students. In addition to checking out bestsellers, public libraries support students’ with an abundance of resources used for educational purposes,
Whether it's after school or during the summer students are provided a safe space in the community to explore their curiosities. Libraries provide access to free high-speed internet, computers, and printers for many purposes. Educational entertainment such as movies, music, and games and opportunities to win prizes like the 1000 Books reading Challenge. Families can even find resources like DK Learning for home learning, free workshops and training. Services such as tutoring, homework support, story-time, and summer learning programming, teen spaces and study rooms.
What benefits do library card holders have?
Out of all of the store loyalty cards and memberships my family has, signing up for a library card at our local branch has been the most rewarding by far! Did you know card holders can not only check out books, movies, and games, but also gain entrance to waterparks?
The Library Network (TLN) is the largest library cooperative in Michigan! This network launched the Michigan Activity Pass program (MAP) which provides Michigan library cardholders the opportunity to discover and explore participating cultural destinations, parks, campgrounds and recreation areas in the state for free or at a discounted rate!
TLN has a mission to create a vibrant, collaborative partnership among libraries, driving access to shared services and resources. The vision is simple: to support and inspire development, leadership, and innovation in libraries. TLN has a goal to foster collaboration for delivery of equitable services and access to libraries in Michigan. They aim to reflect the diversity of the membership in the communities they serve and strive to realize an equitable organization.
What are ways libraries foster a love for reading?
Here are a few ways you can use a library to foster a love of reading in your child:
Read to Your Child (attend story hour events usually offered for babies, toddlers, and school aged children)
Read what Interests Them (The Adventures of Captain Underpants might not be moms favorite title, but it aligns with their current ever changing interests, before you purchase consider checking it out from the library. Having ownership in what they are reading empowers them and builds confidence, this promotes a positive attitude towards reading.
Read to Yourself (It’s important for children to see you reading, model the enjoyment of reading, find a comfy spot, make a goal of 20 minutes a day as a family, at home or in a library. Talk about your favorite parts so far and what might happen next)
Happy Reading!